Budget conversation for Glasgow

Published: 7 September 2016

Glaswegians are being asked for their views on how best to deliver and pay for local services.

The city council has launched the next phase of a wide-ranging budget conversation, which began earlier this year.

The consultation - which will take place primarily online, but will also include a series of meetings with representatives of community organisations - will run until mid-October.

Responses and ideas raised by citizens will be fed into the budget-setting process for the next financial year, 2017/18.

The city's budget for local services remains under substantial pressure - with the council expected to find savings of £130 million over a two-year period.

However, the consultation doesn't simply ask citizens to help identify savings; but also the services they value and how they can best be delivered in their communities.

Chief Executive Annemarie O'Donnell urged Glaswegians to add their voice to the discussion.

She said: "There is no doubt local government faces financial challenges - but our focus must always be on how we, as part of a wider community, help make Glasgow a healthier, wealthier and fairer city.

"People may have ideas that would save money or raise more revenue; but we also want to encourage discussion and debate about how local services are planned and delivered - and what role people want the council to play in their community."

Glasgow's budget conversation is now live and citizens can have their say and make suggestions online using the information and links at www.glasgow.gov.uk/budget.

Starting later this month, the council will host a short series of meetings with key community groups to discuss and record their views.